Decoding Ernest's Fate: Unveiling the Motive behind His Deadly Act in Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon

Summary

Killers of the Flower Moon director Martin Scorsese explains the scene where Ernest drinks his wife's poison, highlighting his delusion and refusal to accept his actions.

The movie, which is rooted in a true story, depicts Ernest's unquestioning loyalty to his uncle and his role in the murders with a considerable degree of accuracy. Although some details have been altered, the narrative delves into the notion that the actual involvement of Ernest Burkhart in the poisoning of his wife remains uncertain, yet it suggests that he was aware of his actions but chose to reject that knowledge.

Martin Scorsese, director of Killers of the Flower Moon, discusses the pivotal scene in which Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Ernest Burkhart, consumes some of Lily Gladstone's character, Mollie Burkhart's, poisoned substance. The crime drama portrays the true story of the Osage Nation in the 1920s, who faced a series of suspicious murders after striking oil on their land and becoming wealthy. Investigations revealed a group of white men who conspired to murder the Osage in order to steal their oil royalties. Among them was Ernest, who not only killed Mollie's family but also allegedly poisoned her over an extended period of time.

During an interview with IndieWire, Scorsese provided insight into Ernest's mindset and motivations while poisoning his wife in Killers of the Flower Moon. Despite being influenced by his uncle, played by Robert De Niro as William King Hale, to slowly poison Mollie using her insulin, Scorsese acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding whether DiCaprio's character was fully aware of his actions. He suggested that any awareness Ernest had may have been only subconscious, which ultimately led him to take a sip of the poisoned milk himself. Below is Scorsese's quote for further context:

Scorsese: In the film, De Niro's character Hale eliminates and silences all of his associates as part of a cleanup operation. As the situation intensifies and focuses on Ernest, he believes that his uncle would never harm him or Mollie. Ernest is under the impression that his uncle will protect Mollie and ensure their safety.

Interviewer: Is he not aware that he is also causing harm to Mollie?

Scorsese: No, he isn't. Yes, he is, unconsciously. However, he adamantly denies it. This is why he consumes the drink on his own. He simply won't acknowledge it. You can observe it on Leo's expression amidst the flames. He understands. Yet, he remains steadfast in rejecting his involvement. It's a flaw in his character.

Interviewer: He's self-deceived.

Scorsese: Totally.

Did the Real Ernest Burkhart Actually Poison His Wife?

Although Killers of the Flower Moon is based on David Grann's nonfiction book of the same name, there are certain aspects of the story that the movie alters, which raises doubts about its authenticity. It is truly difficult to comprehend how Ernest could betray the woman he professed to love so heinously. Nonetheless, a significant portion of Ernest's narrative in the film is factual, as he was under the control of his uncle, Hale, who orchestrated the murders and even coerced Ernest into marrying Mollie.

The fragment

Unfortunately, the video tag is not supported by your browser.

Ernest later appeared in court and confessed to having a significant role in the murders of Mollie's family. As a result, he received a life sentence in prison, but eventually, he was granted parole. While Grann and Killers of the Flower Moon imply that Ernest may have harbored genuine affection for Mollie, his actions clearly demonstrate otherwise. In an interview, Scorsese emphasized that Ernest was aware, to some extent, of the situation, which places more responsibility on him rather than his uncle.

However, the question remains whether Ernest actually poisoned Mollie in real life. Once authorities began their investigation, they discovered that Mollie was seriously ill and had likely been poisoned, possibly through her insulin injections. In his book, Grann mentioned that the identity of the poisoner could not be definitively proven, and it was the one crime Burkhart did not confess to, just like in the movie adaptation. Regardless of whether he was responsible or not, the poisoning scene in Killers of the Flower Moon offers a intriguing perspective on Ernest as a man who understood his actions but chose to deny them.